Adjustable shooting rest for climbing stand

ABSTRACT

An adjustable shooting rest for use in connection with climbing-type tree stands is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first member is affixed to a climbing stand. A second member is attached to such first member, and is vertically adjustable relative to such first member. A weapon support is attached to the second member, and is horizontally adjustable relative to such second member. In another embodiment, a base is affixed to a climbing stand. A horizontal lower arm member is provided which is freely rotatable relative to such base. A horizontal upper arm member is provided, which is, in turn, freely rotatable relative to such horizontal lower arm member. A vertically adjustable weapon support is provided on said horizontal upper arm member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an adjustable shooting rest which can be attached to existing hunting stands, including pole or tree grasping-type stands. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shooting rest which can be adjusted to fit the unique positioning requirements of individual hunters. More particularly still, the present invention relates to an adjustable shooting rest which provides support for aiming a gun or other weapon, and which can also facilitate camouflaging, along a range of 180 degrees around a hunter in a hunting stand.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] When hunting deer or other animals, it is typically important for a hunter to be positioned at a concealed location commonly known as a “stand.” Generally, such stands are placed at an elevated position above ground level. It is generally felt that hunting from such stands give hunters an advantage, since it has been noted that deer and other animals often will not sense danger from an elevated position.

[0005] Various means for reaching such elevated locations and being comfortable in what are known as tree stands have been developed. Such means include individual steps which either screw into a tree or pole, or clamp around said tree. Also, tree climbing spikes that are attached to the boots of the hunter, similar to linemen utility pole climbing spikes, have been used. However, the screwing of steps into live trees, as well as the use of climbing spikes, have been proven to injure trees.

[0006] Climbing-type tree stands have been developed which employ various means for climbing a tree or other vertical support using straps which encircle such trees or vertical poles. Usually, such climbing stands utilize a pair of platforms or supports, an upper member and a lower member, being used together. With such climbing stands, the upper member is moved up, and then the lower member follows until a desired height is reached.

[0007] A variety of climbing stands, hunting platforms and other such climbing devices are commercially available. Generally, these climbing devices have proven to be unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. Exemplary prior art patents relating to tree climbing stands include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,485,320, 3,955,645, and 3,960,240.

[0008] Tree climbing stands known from the prior art are of two basic types: those comprised of a single tree climbing frame or platform, and those which employ two climbing frames or elements. Examples of both types may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,485,320; 3,460,649; 3,856,111; 3,955,645; and 3,991,853. In one way or another, all of these prior art devices require the user to carry his gun or other weapon, such as a bow and arrow, on his back and to support his body weight by his arms and/or hands from or upon either the upper climbing element or the tree itself as the stand is raised or lowered on the tree or pole. This factor adds to the exertion required in attaining the desired elevation, and is also unsafe to varying degrees.

[0009] One known climbing stand which does not require the user to support his body weight by his hands or arms while adjusting the elevation of the stand is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,240. However, this device requires the user to face away from the tree or pole and assume an extremely awkward and dangerous position while adjusting the upper climbing element.

[0010] Typically, it is advantageous to utilize a shooting rest in connection with such a climbing stand. A shooting rest serves the purpose of facilitating aiming and shooting by supporting a gun or other weapon in a position close to that desired for shooting. Because a change in the hunter's sitting position or the target area, the hunter, already in a precarious position, may find that he must quietly adjust the gun rest or lose the benefit of the gun rest. The present invention facilitates such adjustment to meet the specific needs of a particular hunter.

[0011] As set forth above, there are a number of existing climbing stands which are already in use. Many of such climbing stands do not include any type of shooting rest. Moreover, the prior art does not disclose a shooting rest which can be attached or affixed to existing climbing stands. Conversely, the present invention can be attached to virtually any type of existing climbing stand, thereby permitting the use of a shooting rest in connection with any number of different climbing stands.

[0012] None of the prior art describes a shooting rest which is fully adjustable to fit the specific positioning needs of different hunters. Shooting rests described in the prior art are generally stationary, and cannot be adjusted to a desired position relative to a hunter using same. Moreover, the prior art does not disclose a shooting rest which can be attached to a large number of different climbing-type tree stands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides a shooting rest which can be adjusted to provide aiming and/or shooting support for a hunter along a 180-degree horizontal spectrum. Furthermore, the present invention provides a shooting rest which can be attached to any number of different climbing-type stands, and which can be easily adjusted to fit the size requirements of individual hunters. Additionally, the present invention provides a support frame or structure for attaching or hanging camouflaging around a climbing stand along a 180-degree arc in order to obscure from view said climbing-type tree stand, as well as a hunter using same.

[0014] Although it is possible that the shooting rest of the present invention can be integrally attached to a climbing-type tree stand, the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be affixed or attached to any number of different types of existing climbing stands.

[0015] In one of the preferred embodiments, a base member made of tubular metal or other similarly durable material can be affixed to the base of a climbing-type stand. This base member can be of any number of shapes in order to correspond to the base portion of a climbing stand. However, in the preferred embodiment, the base member is roughly U-shaped. One or more lower clamping means are attached to said base member, and are positioned toward the outer surface of said base member. One or more vertical support posts are slidably disposed within said lower clamping means.

[0016] Upper clamping means are disposed at the upper end of said vertical support posts. A support rest is slidably disposed within said upper clamping means. In a preferred embodiment, said support rest is roughly semi-circular in shape, and extends in a 180-degree concave arc in the direction of said climbing-type tree stand. Horizontal adjustment bars extend from the outer surface of said support rest, and are slidably disposed within said upper clamping means. If desired, netting or other camouflaging material can be draped from said gun support rest, in order to surround a user and obscure said user from view.

[0017] By slidably positioning said vertical support posts within said lower clamping means, and then locking said clamping means, the relative height of said support rest can be vertically adjusted to suit a particular user's needs. Similarly, the relative horizontal position of said support rest can also be adjusted by slidably moving said horizontal adjustment bars within said upper clamping means, and then locking said upper clamping means. By adjusting the horizontal position of said support rest, the distance between said support rest and a particular hunter can be set as desired.

[0018] The shooting rest of the present invention permits a hunter to support a heavy gun against such rest during periods of inactivity. When a deer or other target is spotted, such rest allows the hunter to aim his weapon using a minimal amount of movement and effort, since the weapon is generally in a ready position. By requiring less movement to aim a weapon, it reduces the chances that the deer or other prey will recognize such movement by the hunter and be scared away.

[0019] Additionally, in one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an arrow holder accessory is provided. Said arrow holder, which can be used instead of or in place of said gun support rest, has horizontal positioning bars which can be received within said upper clamping means. Similarly, a gun rack is also provided which can be used to support a gun, bow or other hunting implement. In one of the preferred embodiments, said gun rack is in the form of support hooks extending from the outer surface of said vertical support posts. As with the gun support rest, the relative vertical position of said gun rack can be adjusted by slidably changing the position of said vertical support posts within said lower clamping means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable shooting rest of the present invention mounted a climbing stand attached to a tree.

[0021]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable shooting rest of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an arrow holder accessory of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gun rack accessory of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of an adjustable shooting rest of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a side view of an adjustable shooting rest of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, shooting rest 20 is affixed to climbing-type stand 10, which is in turn mounted on tree 11. Shooting rest 20 is comprised of lower member 21, and lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b that are attached to the outer surface of said lower member 21. In this embodiment, shooting rest 20 is constructed of tubular aluminum, or other material offering desirable strength and weight characteristics. Although lower member 21 can be integrally attached to three stand 10, in this embodiment, lower member 21 is affixed to tree stand 10 using attachment means, such as screws, u-bolts or the like.

[0027] Vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b are slidably disposed within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b, respectively. Vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b can be moved up or down within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b, as desired, and then locked in place at the desired location within said lower clamping means. In the preferred embodiment, said lower clamping means include lock-down bolts 24 a and 24 b.

[0028] Upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b are disposed at the upper end of vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b. In the preferred embodiment, said upper clamping means include lock-down bolts 28 a and 28 b. Support rest 26 has horizontal posts 27 a and 27 b which are slidably disposed within upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b.

[0029]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shooting rest and climbing stand depicted in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, lower member 21 has lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b. Vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b are disposed within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b, respectively. Upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b are disposed at the upper end of vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b. U-shaped support rest 26 has horizontal posts 27 a and 27 b, which can be received within upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b.

[0030] In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1, climbing stand 10 is affixed to a tree or pole in an elevated position. Said climbing stand 10 provides a perch or base to support a hunter on said tree or pole. Lower member 21 is attached to climbing stand 10 using u-bolts or similar attachment means. Vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b are slidably disposed within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b, respectively. Similarly, support rest 26 is mounted at the upper extent of vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b by horizontal posts 27 a and 27 b, which are slidably disposed within upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b, respectively.

[0031] The relative height of support rest 26 can be adjusted by slidably positioning vertical support posts 23 a and 23 b within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b respectively. Further, said height adjustment can be locked in place using lock-down bolts 24 a and 24 b. Similarly, the horizontal position of support rest 26 can be adjusted toward or away from a hunter using the present invention by sliding horizontal posts 27 a and 27 b with upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b, respectively. Such relative horizontal positioning of support rest 26 can be locked in place using lock-down bolts 28 a and 28 b. Such vertical and horizontal adjustment means make it possible to position the shooting rest at the desired location for a particular hunter using same. Said hunter can use support rest 26 to support a gun, and to assist with the aiming of said gun with a minimum amount of movement along a roughly 180 degree arc.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, arrow holder 30 has horizontal support posts 31 a and 31 b which can be received and slidably disposed within upper clamping means 25 a and 25 b. Arrow holder 30 also has vertical members 32 a and 32 b which support tray 33, which can hold a desired number of arrows for a hunter.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, gun rack 40 has vertical support posts 41 a and 41 b which can be slidably received within lower clamping means 22 a and 22 b. Gun support hooks 42 a and 42 b are vertically aligned with one another on the outer ID surface of vertical support posts 41 a and 41 b. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, gun support hooks can also be used to support a bow.

[0034]FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of shooting rest 50 of the present invention. Base plate 51 can be affixed to or mounted on to any number of existing climbing stands. In this embodiment, base plate 51 is mounted to a climbing stand using u-bolts 52; however, any number of other mounting means could be used for this purpose. Base plate 51 has hollow mounting cylinder 53. In this embodiment, the central axis of hollow mounting cylinder is positioned generally perpendicular to base plate 51.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 5, lower member 54 has lower vertical extension 55, horizontal arm 56, and upper vertical extension 57. Lower vertical extension 55 of lower member 54 is received within hollow mounting cylinder 53, and is freely rotatable within said hollow mounting cylinder 53. In this embodiment, said lower member 54 is rotatable in 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis of lower vertical extension 55 of lower member 54.

[0036] Still referring to FIG. 5, upper member 60 has hollow end cylinder 61, horizontal arm 62, and vertical extension 63. Upper vertical extension 57 of lower member 54 is received within hollow end cylinder 61. Upper member 60 is freely rotatable around upper vertical extension 57 of lower member 54. In this embodiment, upper member 60 is rotatable in 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis of upper vertical extension 57 of lower member 54.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 5, adjustable support bracket 70 has hollow cylinder body 71 and weapon rest 72. Vertical extension 63 of upper member 60 is received with hollow cylinder body 71, while weapon rest 72 extends from the outer surface of hollow cylinder body 71. Hollow cylinder body 71 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of vertical extension 63, and is further slidable along the extent of vertical extension 63 of upper member 60. Locking arm 73 is affixed to the outer surface of hollow cylinder body 71 by pivot pin 74. Compression spring 75 biases the base of locking arm 73 outward, thereby directing the opposite end of locking arm 73 against the side of vertical extension 63 of upper member 60. Frictional contact between said locking arm 73 and said vertical extension 63 of upper member 60 holds adjustable support bracket 70 in a desired position. FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of this embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] With respect to the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, base plate 51 is affixed to climbing stand. Once said climbing stand is affixed to a tree or otherwise positioned at a desired location, a hunter using the shooting rest of the present invention can place his weapon in weapon rest 72 and aim said weapon in any number of directions. The rotatable action of lower member 54 relative to base plate 51, as well as the rotatable action of upper member 60 relative to lower member 54, permits a hunter to swivel said shooting rest in virtually any direction. Furthermore, the position of said weapon rest 72 and, thus, the aim of a weapon place therein can be adjusted by moving hollow cylinder body along the extent of vertical extension 63 of upper member 60.

[0039] Although preferred embodiments of the subject invention have been described herein, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shooting rest weapon support for use with a climbing stand comprising: a. a first member, affixed to a climbing stand, having a lower bracket at the outer extent of said first member; b. a vertical second member, slidably received within said bracket of said first member, having an upper bracket near the upper extent of said vertical second member; c. a horizontal support bar having a rigid member extending therefrom in a roughly perpendicular direction relative to said horizontal support bar, wherein said rigid member is slidably received within said upper bracket near the upper extent of said vertical second member; d. means for locking said vertical second member within said lower bracket; and e. means for locking said horizontal member within said upper bracket.
 2. The shooting rest of claim 1, wherein said means for locking said vertical second member within said lower bracket, and said means for locking said horizontal member within said upper bracket, are screws.
 3. The shooting rest of claim 1, wherein said horizontal support bar is in the shape of a concave arc, wherein the opening of said arc faces in an opposite direction from said upper bracket.
 4. A shooting rest weapon support for use with a climbing stand comprising: a. a base, affixed to a climbing stand, having a hollow cylinder extending from said base; b. a lower swingable arm member having a horizontal arm section, a lower vertical member extending from one end of said horizontal arm section and an upper vertical member extending from the opposite end of said horizontal arm section, wherein the axes of said upper vertical member and lower vertical member are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said horizontal arm section, and wherein said lower vertical member is rotatably disposed within the hollow cylinder of said base; c. an upper swingable arm member having a horizontal arm section, a cylindrical sleeve at one end of said horizontal arm section and an upper vertical member extending from the opposite end of said horizontal arm section, wherein the axes of said cylindrical sleeve and said upper vertical member are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said horizontal arm section, and wherein said cylindrical sleeve is rotatably disposed around the upper vertical member of said first arm member; and d. a weapon support extension disposed on the upper vertical member of said upper swingable arm member.
 5. The shooting rest of claim 4, wherein said weapon support extension is slidably disposed along the upper vertical member of said upper swingable arm member.
 6. The shooting rest of claim 5, further comprising means for locking said weapon support extension at a desired location along the upper vertical member of said upper swingable arm member.
 7. The shooting rest of claim 6, wherein said means for locking said weapon support extension at a desired location along the upper vertical member of said upper swingable arm member comprises: a. a sleeve, slidably disposed on said upper vertical member of said upper swingable arm member, having said weapon support extension attached to the outer surface of said sleeve; b a rigid arm, pivotally attached to the outer surface of said sleeve; and c. a compression spring disposed between the base of said rigid arm and the outer surface of said sleeve. 